Vent assembly for a vehicle refrigerator

ABSTRACT

The vent assembly ( 10 ) includes a vent frame ( 14 ), a vent ( 16 ) and a retainer ( 40 ). The ven frame attaches to a sidewall ( 20 ) of the vehicle. The vent frame defines an opening and includes a projection. The vent is received within the opening and is removably attached to the vent frame. The retainer selectively secures the vent to the vent frame. The retainer is slidably mounted on the vent and is translatable between an engaged position and a non-engaged position. In the engaged position, the vent is secured to the vent frame through engagement of the retainer with the projection of the vent frame. In the non-engaged position, the vent may be removed from the vent frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to vehicle refrigerators. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a vent assembly for avehicle refrigerator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles, including but not limited to recreational vehicles (“RVs” inthe United States and “Caravans” in Europe), tractor trailers,airplanes, boats, trains, and the like, often incorporate refrigeratorsfor the comfort and convenience of the occupants. These refrigeratorsare usually absorption-type refrigerators. An absorption refrigeratorincludes a heat generator for heating a solution of refrigerant and anabsorbent. Heat releases the refrigerant from the absorbent to form ahigh pressure refrigerant vapor. The refrigerant vapor is condensed in acooling condenser. Low pressure solution from the heat generator issprayed on the refrigerant vapor in an absorber to absorb the vapor. Theabsorption causes the pressure of the vapor to be reduced. Evaporationoccurs in an evaporator between the condenser and the absorber. Therefrigerant vapor expands in the evaporator which causes a temperaturedrop in the refrigerant. This temperature drop is used to providecooling to the refrigerator. The solution of refrigerant and absorbentis then pumped back to the heat generator.

Airflow over the condenser and absorber is conventionally used forcooling of these elements. To create this airflow, a first duct isprovided through the coach wall for air intake. An exhaust is providedthrough a second duct.

While such conventional vent assemblies have proven to be acceptable fortheir intended uses, they are all associated with limitations. Mostsignificantly insofar as the present invention is concerned,conventional vent assemblies require multiple discrete fasteners forsecurement to the body of a vehicle. These fasteners are extremelyvisible and create an undesirable appearance.

Accordingly, it remains a need in the pertinent art to provide a ventassembly for a vehicle refrigerator that overcomes the limitationsassociated with the prior known arrangements, including but not limitedto those disadvantages discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vent assembly fora vehicle refrigerator that requires a reduced number of discretefasteners.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide a ventassembly for a vehicle refrigerator having a vent which can be quicklyand easily installed/removed and includes no externally visiblefasteners.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vent assemblyfor a vehicle refrigerator having a removable bug screen.

In one particular form, the present invention provides a vent assemblyfor a refrigerator of a vehicle. The vent assembly includes a ventframe, a vent and a retainer. The vent frame attaches to a sidewall ofthe vehicle. The vent frame defines an opening and includes aprojection. The vent is received within the opening and is removablyattached to the vent frame. The retainer selectively secures the vent tothe vent frame. The retainer is slidably mounted on the vent and istranslatable between an engaged position and a non-engaged position. Inthe engaged position, the vent is secured to the vent frame throughengagement of the retainer with the projection of the vent frame. In thenon-engaged position, the vent may be removed from the vent frame.

Additional advantages and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description and appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an intake assembly constructed accordingto the teachings of the present invention shown mounted to a vehiclesidewall.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exhaust vent assembly constructedaccording to the teachings of the present invention and shownimmediately prior to engagement of the vent with a mounting of ventframe of the vent assembly.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a vent according to the teachingsof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the detail of circle A of FIG. 4

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a mounting frame according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the detail of circle B of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a retainer for securing the vent to themounting frame.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the retainer of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken through a portion of the vent assemblyof FIG. 1, illustrating the retainer of FIGS. 8 and 9 translated to alocking position in which the door is secured to the frame.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of the coldweather cover illustrating one of its integrally molded tabs.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 12 further illustratingengagement of the tab with one of the louver standoffs of the vent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention is merely exemplary in nature and -is in no way intended tolimit the invention, its application, or uses.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of vent assembliesconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present inventionare illustrated and generally identified at reference numbers 10 and 12.The vent assemblies are typically used in pairs. The vent assembly 10 ofFIG. 1 is specifically intended for use as an air intake vent assembly10. The vent assembly of FIG. 2 is specifically intended for use as anexhaust vent assembly 12. The teachings of the present invention areparticularly directed to the structure incorporated for connecting thevarious elements of the vent assemblies 10 and 12. Insofar as thepresent invention is concerned, these interconnecting components aresubstantially the same between intake vents (such as that shown inFIG. 1) and exhaust vents (such as those shown in FIG. 2). For thisreason, a significant portion of the description provided herein will bedirected particularly to the vent assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1.

However, a large portion of these teachings are directly translatable toexhaust vent assemblies. Furthermore, in certain application it may bedesirable to utilize a common vent assembly for both intake and exhaust.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and additional reference to FIGS. 3through 12, the teachings of the present invention will be furtheraddressed. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 illustrates the ventassembly 10 to generally include a vent frame or mounting frame 14 and avent proper or simply vent 16. FIG. 3 additionally illustrates the ventassembly 10 with a cold weather or winter cover 18.

The teachings of the present invention are further illustrated in FIG. 4which shows a similar vent 16′ specifically for an exhaust applicationand FIG. 6 which shows a similar vent frame 14′ for an exhaustapplication. Due to the similarity of these components, like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to identify substantiallyidentical elements.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vent frame 14 is secured to a sidewall 20 of avehicle. Specifically, the vent frame includes a mounting flange 22which abuts an exterior surface of the sidewall 20. Threaded fasteners26 pass through apertures (not specifically shown) provided in bossportions 28 of the mounting flange 22.

The vent 16 is illustrated to include a plurality of louvers 30. Thelouvers 30 are aligned parallel relative to one another. Adjacentlouvers 30 are interconnected by louver standoffs 32. The louversstandoffs 32 extend in a direction generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axes defined by the louvers 30.

The vent 16 includes a peripheral flange 34 which extends over themounting portion 22 of the vent frame 14. The peripheral flange 34 isshown to include a generally C-shaped lip 36 which engages integrallyformed tabs 38 which downwardly extend from the vent frame 14. The lip36 and tabs 38 cooperate to retain the vent 16 to the vent frame 14adjacent the bottom edge of the vent 16. Explaining further, thisconnection between the vent frame 14 and vent 16 is used to initiallyengage the components during installation.

For purposes of further securing the vent 16 to the vent frame 14, thevent assembly 10 of the present invention includes a pair of identicalretainers. As such more particularly in the cross-sectional view of FIG.10, the retainers 40 are slidably retained on the vent 16 fortranslation between an engaged position and a disengaged position. Inthe engaged position, the retainer engages a hook member 44 extendingfrom the vent frame 14. In this manner, the retainer 40 secures the vent16 to the vent frame 14. The retainer 40 defines first and secondgrooves 46 and 48 (see FIG. 8) which slidably receive first and secoridflanges 50 and 52 of the vent 16. Access to the retainer 40 is providedbetween the louvers 30 of the vent and as a result, the retainers 40 arenot clearly visible from the vehicle exterior.

The winter cover 18 is illustrated to include a plurality of integrallymolded tabs 54 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). The tabs 54 include a hook shapedend for snappingly engaging a horizontal segment 56 carried by thelouver standoffs 32. The hook portion of the integrally molded tabs 54is interrupted by a centrally disposed slot 60 which receives one of thelouver standoffs 32 so as to laterally locate the cold weather cover 18relative to the vent 16.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the vent assembly 10 of the presentinvention is illustrated to include a removable bug screen 70. Theremovable bug screen 70 is shown disposed between a rear peripheralflange 72 of the vent frame 14 and a pair of wings 74 carried by thevent frame 14. The removable bug screen 70 preferably includes asemi-rigid frame and a flexible screen proper. The bug screen 70 isquickly and easily removed and installed when the vent 16 is removedfrom the vent frame 16. By removing the bug screen 70, furtherventilation is provided to the refrigerator for more efficient cooling.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A vent assembly for a vehicle refrigerator, the vent assemblycomprising: a vent frame for attachment to a sidewall of the vehicle,the vent frame defining an opening and including a projection; a ventreceived within the opening and removably attached to the vent frame;and a retainer for selectively securing the vent to the vent frame, theretainer slidably mounted on the vent and translatable between anengaged position securing the vent to the vent frame and a non-engagedposition permitting removal of the vent from the vent frame, theretainer engaging the projection of the vent frame in the engagedposition.
 2. The vent assembly for a refrigerator of a vehicle of claim1, wherein the retainer defines at least one groove for slidablyreceiving a flange of the vent.
 3. The vent assembly for a refrigeratorof a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the retainer defines first and secondgrooves for slidably receiving first and second flanges of the vent. 4.The vent assembly for a refrigerator of a vehicle of claim 1, whereinthe vent includes a plurality of louvers and further wherein theretainer is manually accessible between a pair of adjacent louvers ofthe plurality of louvers.
 5. The vent assembly for a refrigerator of avehicle of claim 1, further comprising a cold weather cover releasablysecured to the vent.
 6. The vent assembly for a refrigerator of avehicle of claim 5, wherein the the cold weather covers includes atleast one rearwardly extending hook and the vent includes at least onecooperating flange, the hook releasably engaging the flange.
 7. The ventassembly for a refrigerator of a vehicle of claim 1, further comprisinga removably screen.
 8. The vent assembly for a refrigerator of a vehicleof claim 1, wherein the screen is removably attached to the vent frame.9. The vent assembly for a refrigerator of a vehicle of claim 8, whereinthe vent frame includes a pair of inwardly extending wing portions, theremovably frame being positioned between the wing portions and a rearperipheral flange.